Quote Originally Posted by mamaof4 View Post
Hey ladies-

I'm interested in opening a day home but I have no idea what I can feed the kids! I have a few recipes but they'll get old fast- any ideas where to get kid friendly food ideas?
This is seriously a subjective, personal thing.

I believe that even the youngest of children eat the same food as adults. Here I make supper for my family and then put some aside for lunch the next day. I don't make separate kid meals. Occasionally I will make a separate meal for lunch if we had a really spicy meal for supper. As much as our 3 yr old loves spicy food (she insists on adding extra hot sauce) I recognize most families don't give their kids anything remotely spicy. Aside from that I don't cater to picky children.

You first need to decide if you want to be cooking completely separate for daycare versus your family or if you will cook one meal in the for supper and use it for lunch as well.

I do make sure that I serve one "safe" food each meal. Not junk food by any meals but a veggie that is generally liked by children (carrots or corn) or some cheese cubes etc., so if a child really decides to not like your meal they have a little something to eat to hold them over until next meal.

Children will quickly learn to accept meals your way and will surprise their families with what they eat at your daycare (when they often refuse it at home). Do not feel you need to be going out of your way to make kid approved choices (chicken fingers, kraft dinner etc).

Don't feel you need to be making special foods, or making different meals for different kids. Make a meal and serve it. Make sure YOU enjoy the foods you are serving as well.